What is -아요/어요/해요?
The Standard Polite Ending
In Korean, you change the ending of verbs and adjectives to show politeness and formality. The -아요/어요/해요 ending is the most common way to speak politely in everyday situations.
This style, often called the 'yo-form' (요체), is polite but also friendly and natural. You'll hear it everywhere—with colleagues, in shops and restaurants, and when talking to people you don't know well. It's the standard, default speech style you should learn first.
Rule 1: Stems with ㅏ or ㅗ
The Basic Rule
If the last vowel in the verb or adjective stem is ㅏ or ㅗ , you attach -아요 .
How It Works
If the stem ends in a consonant, you simply add -아요 after it.
Verb/Adjective · Stem · Rule · Result
좋다 · 좋- · + 아요 · 좋아요
작다 · 작- · + 아요 · 작아요
If the stem ends with the vowel ㅏ or ㅗ, it contracts with -아요 .
Verb · Stem · Combination · Result
가다 · 가- · 가 + 아요 · 가요
보다 · 보- · 보 + 아요 · 봐요
오다 · 오- · 오 + 아요 · 와요
Core takeaway: Verb stem + -아요
Rule 2: Stems with Other Vowels
The Basic Rule
If the last vowel in the stem is anything other than ㅏ or ㅗ (e.g., ㅓ, ㅣ, ㅜ, ㅡ), you attach -어요 .
How It Works
If the stem ends in a consonant, you simply add -어요 after it.
Verb/Adjective · Stem · Rule · Result
먹다 · 먹- · + 어요 · 먹어요
읽다 · 읽- · + 어요 · 읽어요
많다 · 많- · + 어요 · 많아요
If the stem ends in a vowel, it often contracts with -어요 .
Verb · Stem · Combination · Result
배우다 · 배우- · 배우 + 어요 · 배워요
주다 · 주- · 주 + 어요 · 줘요
마시다 · 마시- · 마시 + 어요 · 마셔요
Core takeaway: Verb stem + -어요
Rule 3: 하다 Verbs
The Special Rule for 하다
Verbs and adjectives that end in 하다 are extremely common in Korean. They follow their own simple, consistent rule:
하다 always becomes 해요.
You can think of this as a special case and just memorize the change. It applies to all -하다 words without exception.
Verb · Rule · Result
공부하다 · 하다 → 해요 · 공부해요
운동하다 · 하다 → 해요 · 운동해요
요리하다 · 하다 → 해요 · 요리해요
이야기하다 · 하다 → 해요 · 이야기해요
Core takeaway: 하다 -> 해요
Quick review
하다 -> 해요
공부하다 -> 공부해요